The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-09-22

1 = II
a New 9aa Hapsrsaas lnaassry. :,
1t Is not generally kaowa, psshapA that Mr..
George Gibson, Of the Pittsburg Ramie Manu-.
hctaring Company, has located In Thomasvills
for the purpose of testing the successful growing
Of this valuable plant NJ. Gibson ID the iasen-
tor Of Gibson's patent machines for decoriicat-
ing ramie, iuie. &c. Mr.. Gibson Is a gentleman
Of fine intelligence and pleasant address. He
was born in the North Of France. thOagh Of
English paren,age. His 10 one of The most val-
liable machines 10 existence for successfully and
economically separating the fsre from the
woody or guumy substance found in the raMie
and jute plants. The company which Hr. Glib.
son represents, and OF which he is Superintend
ent is capitalized at $4,000 The stock, II
found necessary, can be easily and readily large
ly increased, as the Stockholders are gentlemen
Of large means Mr.. Gibson has leased the
Fearn property on Carroll hill and IL carrying
on his experiments there. A large quantity OF
the ramie seed has besn planted and is. the gen.
tleman says showing most favorable indica-
soil and climate The plant is being
successfully grown In Leuisisna, South
Carolina, AlsbamA and Gsasga.. In this
State it Is being grown near Brunswick. Mr..
Gibson Was sent South by bis company to select
peint where the plant can be successfully cal
tivated, and also to establish . mandatory for
the same After looking through several States,
be struck Georgia, came to Thomasville, and has
decided to make his experiments here, and, II
successful, to establish extensive works. He has
the plans and the price list of machinery, which
10 manufactured in Leeds, England, necessary
for the works The outlay for the machinery,
buildings, &c, will be about one hundred thou
sand dollars There Is not factory Of the kind
10 the United States. The seed being used here
were brought from Europe at q cost of $50 per
pound
In an interview, a few days since, with Mr..
Gibson, we gained the following information
known plant from that gentleman: Rich and
light sandy soil is best adapted to the growth OF
the plant 1t Is easily and cheaply cultivated.
1t yields from 1000 to 1900 pounds per acre, and
Is worth from 70 cents per pound When
grown from the seed ii is transplanted lin this
lattude) in March. When once growing it never
needs replanting, shooting out and growing vigo-
rously each succeeding year from the root. 1t
grows about as large as cotton stalks, and At
tains a height of 5 or 6 feet The fibre was
spun by hand where it was grown long before
It's introduction into Europe. The Chinese
weave 1t into damask cloth which resembles
silk very closely. 1t is manufactured Ia Hol-
land in great perfection into beautiful cambrics
and other valuable fabrics. The plant is 10 its
prime ut 8 years old, and will live for so years.
The fibre, when cleaned and prepared can
scarcely be distinguished from silk. 1t 10 very
strong, rope same size as q hemp rope, will
only break at a weight of 252 pounds, while the
hemp will break at 80 pounds The beautiful
and costly Valencinnes lace is now made of
three-fourths ramie and One-fourih silk. II is
destined TO be a valuable commercial COM
modify.
Mr.. Gibson is very confident that the
plant will grow successfully here. In that case
mentioned. In order TO encourage its culture,
Mr.. Gibson will supply farmers 10 the surround.
ing country, gratuitously, with enough of the
rootets next spring to give the culture general
and satisfactory test. A visit to Mr.. Gibson,
who is gentleman of culture and varied informa
lion, and to his BEDS where the little ramie seed
are putting forth, will interest any one.-TAom
asrille Times.